A blog of thoughts, inspiration, discussion from a student of Christian Science

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Never cut off

Mom and I talked about an issue over dinner that I’ve heard from a few people lately—the misapprehension that if you’re doing something wrong (i.e., sinning), you’re cut off from God.

The usual list of habits many consider “sins” generally comes out in this discussion: smoking, drinking, swearing, gambling, sex, etc. The belief is that if you’re indulging any one of these things, you’re cutting yourself off from God and you shouldn’t even bother praying until you stop.

But I just have to say that has not been my experience. First of all, sin often includes things you don’t recognize as sin yet, such as being judgmental or gossiping or having a temper or hating another ethnic group. If prayer were only reserved for those who are without sin, no one would ever pray.

Second, often praying about one area cultivates a receptivity to spiritual growth for another area that needs improvement. So if you’re feeling poorly and you turn to prayer and experience healing (as can happen no matter what your “sin” status), it could be that this gives you the needed boost to turn to Spirit for issues you’re having trouble giving up.

Paul basically says we’re all sinners. Mary Baker Eddy writes, “The belief of life in matter sins at every step.” I actually find this encouraging, because it levels the playing field. We're all in the same boat.

As long as we’re laboring under this misapprehension that we’re material forms, we will take a limited approach to existence and consequently misstep. Until the higher consciousness is reached, that consciousness that does not include physicality in any form, we can be sure we’ll have things to learn. That’s all sin is to me—something I haven’t learned yet.

So at what point on this learning curve are we expelled from turning to Spirit for inspiration, for guidance, for healing? Never! Spirit is right there, ready to scoop us up, put us on its lap and explain how to free ourselves from limitation.

You can turn Spiritward any time, like the newly blooming bud curves to the sun. Spirit’s rays are always there, ready to bless you and make you grow.

Your ideas and inspiration are welcome! Please comment below or Contact Laura.Email this posting to a friend with the envelope icon below.

Wow. This really corresponds with something I've been thinking on from Romans 6, in terms of "... where sin abounds, grace more abounds."

Sin never, ever cuts us off, or has the ability to cut us off from God. And since sin and grace can't co-exist, just like light and dark can't co-exist, one must have power and the other must be powerless.